reed instrument

reed instrument in music, an instrument whose sound-producing agent is a thin strip of cane, wood, plastic, or metal that vibrates as air is passed over it. The predecessor of these instruments is the Chinese sheng. Single-reed instruments have one reed that is either free or beating. Free reeds, such as those in the reed organ , accordion , concertina , and harmonica , do not overlap the air passage; they are generally of metal. Beating reeds, such as those used in organ pipes and in the clarinet , strike the edges of the aperture while vibrating. Double-reed instruments, such as the shawm , oboe , bassoon , and English horn , have two reeds facing each other, between which air is forced into the instrument; thus the reeds are set vibrating.

reed instrument Musical instrument that produces sound when an air current vibrates a fibre or metal tongue. In a clarinet, a beating reed vibrates against a hole at the end of the tube. The oboe and bassoon have double-reed mouthpieces, the two tongues vibrating against each other when blown.